50,000 people gather at the National Stadium for papal mass

SINGAPORE: Around 50,000 people gathered at the National Stadium on Thursday (Sep 12) to attend the first papal mass in Singapore since 1986. 

Pope Francis arrived at 4.30pm and rode around the stadium in a white buggy, blessing children and babies, and giving out rosaries to those he met.

A sea of people clad in yellow and white - the colours of the Vatican flag - waved at him and cheered as he passed by, with some holding up signs welcoming the pontiff and sending their well wishes.

The pontiff arrived in Singapore on Wednesday afternoon and delivered the homily at the mass. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, his wife Ms Loo Tze Lui, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong and Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam attended the mass.

Speaking to CNA after the mass, Mr Jason Lim, who works in sales, said he was touched by the way Pope Francis patiently made his way around the stadium, spending time with the people in a very personal manner.

“This mass fulfilled a bucket list wish of mine, as I’ve always wanted to attend a mass with a pope,” said the 50-year-old.

Mr Lim attended the mass with his daughter Anna, 17, while his wife was in attendance with a school delegation. He said it was extra special that all three of them were able to be there.

Preschool teacher Rose Francis, 46, said that although Pope Francis did not pass by her section during his lap around the stadium, it was still a wonderful experience.

“He looked tired, and I hope he gets some rest,” she said.

She was at the National Stadium with her husband Mr Francis Gregory, 56, who was a volunteer for the mass. 

FULL DAY OF ACTIVITIES

Singapore's National Stadium was abuzz with activity as early as 11am, six hours before the papal mass was to start.

Lines formed outside the stadium, with some holding umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun.

By 12.30pm, CNA counted at least 200 people in the queue at one of the entrances. 

After the gates opened, attendees filled the National Stadium, taking photos in front of an altar used for the mass. A final rehearsal took place at around 3.30pm, with the choir singing some hymns and running through the order of the mass.

Ms Beverly Branson, a teacher, was a Primary 6 pupil when the late Pope John Paul II came to Singapore in 1986.

“It was a very rainy afternoon, and it was showering but everybody stayed on. The enthusiasm and passion was exhilarating,” she recalled.

Ms Branson, who is attending the mass with her husband Renato Rainone, added that the efforts of the volunteers that have gone into organising the mass encapsulated the “priceless” community spirit.

“A lot of my friend told me I’m very lucky to get a ticket,” she said.

She added that she admires Pope Francis’ environmental causes, among his progressive causes.

Former Cabinet minister George Yeo, who was also at the National Stadium on Thursday, told CNA a pope’s visit to Singapore is rare because it is such a small country.

Mr Yeo, who was also at the mass in 1986, said that Singapore has become more prominent in the scheme of things since then, with a Cardinal appointed in 2022.

“People are genuinely happy here today. There are so many volunteers, and they are cheerful. The moment we arrive at a stadium, they are going out of their way to assist everyone,” he said.

Mr Yeo, who was previously on the Vatican’s Council for the Economy, added that this papal visit is a high point not just for the Catholic Church, but for non-Christians and those of other faiths, such as Buddhists and Muslims, who have a “warm feeling” towards the visit.

TIGHT SECURITY

When CNA arrived at noon, barriers had already been set up to block off some areas to people without tickets, and many security staff helped to maintain order. Police officers and ambulances were also spotted.

Security staff were heard reminding people not to run.

Security checks to enter the stadium started at around 12.45pm, and attendees could visit booths selling exclusive souvenirs before the official programme began.

At one of the security check stations outside the stadium, members of the media got to witness the measures in place for the mass.

Spectators could be seen walking swiftly - with some even jogging - to get their bags and themselves screened.

Security staff clad in black moved quickly, placing baskets for people to put their belongings into.

The baskets were then loaded into an X-ray scanner while those in the queue walked through the body scanners. Some security staff members also had metal detectors at hand for further checks.

The entire process went smoothly during the checks for CNA, taking less than a minute.

Over at a multi-storey car park entrance into the Singapore Sports Hub, authorised vehicles belonging to the event organisers and some spectators were seen making their way in.

A handful of cars were stopped for checks.

Security officers asked drivers to turn off their engines and open their car boots before stepping out.

One staff member could be heard explaining to a driver that this was “just a random check”. Once the car boots were inspected, the vehicles were cleared to proceed.

The media also got to see some police officers walking a police dog, known as a K-9, outside one of the exits at Stadium MRT station.

These dogs typically patrol around the MRT station as and when needed.

The police have been working closely with various agencies and stakeholders, such as the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore, to ensure the safety and security of this event, said Superintendent Clarinda Wong, head of operations for the Bedok Police Division.

Highlighting various security measures that have been put in place, she said: “For example, we have increased the number and frequency of patrols and closed lanes.”

People and vehicles entering the venue are also subject to checks, she added.

"ONCE IN A LIFETIME"

Tickets to the mass were distributed through two rounds of online balloting, with some tickets reserved for overseas Catholics from Malaysia and Brunei. 

Ms Ann-Marie Kang, an engineer in her 40s, was first in line at one of the entrances to the stadium. She said she arrived some time past 10am to avoid crowds, and started queuing at 11am.

Dressed in pale yellow and white, she was excited to attend the mass, and happy to have got a ticket during the second ballot. 

"It's special," she said. "Once in a lifetime."

Ms Nicole Yeo, a civil servant, was at the mass with her mother Madam Yeo Piah Choo.

“It’s a once in a lifetime event, and I’m very grateful to be here,” said the 34-year-old.

“It’s my first time seeing the pope in real life so it’s a special moment.”

She added that Pope Francis is a symbol of hope and someone who is very inclusive, and who reminds people to also act in the same manner.

Retiree Rita Woodman, 55, said she was looking forward to hearing Pope Francis' message during the mass.

She was in the queue with four people from different churches whom she met at the MRT station on the way to the National Stadium.

"Unity and hope," she said, referring to the theme of the visit. "This is unity - that we come together in unity, regardless of who we are."

They were all wearing shirts specially designed for the papal visit, which were available at the Catholic Centre.

"Singapore is very blessed (to have Pope Francis come for a visit)," added Mr John Liew, who was part of the group together with his wife.

"Out of so many countries, he came here," he said.

More than 2,000 people are involved in the mass - including 1,600 choir members, 390 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, 656 wardens, 300 altar servers, 128 medics and nurses, and 260 crowd control personnel.

Among those present will be 2,600 kindergarten and junior college students, 310 migrant workers, 1,000 elderly people from parishes across the country and 250 wheelchair users. Another 3,000 Catholics from the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences countries will also be there.

Ms Ido Joyce Anne Pastor and Ms Sian Soriano, both Filipinos who have been working in Singapore for a few years, said they were hoping to see Pope Francis up close.

"The first time I got a photo of him was when I was in the Philippines, and I hope he comes near today, so I can capture a photo of him," said Ms Soriano.

She added that she prayed for the papal mass to go smoothly before she left for the National Stadium.

CNA also spoke to several people who were not able to get tickets to the mass, but decided to come to the stadium hoping to get access to the event.

Mr Joevic Tagamolila, a Filipino who works as a retail crew member in Singapore, said he did not ballot for tickets because he was not sure if he would be able to take the day off from work. 

Four of his relatives successfully balloted and had entered the stadium.

He spoke to security staff but was told that there would be no walk-ins allowed.

The event website states that no more tickets will be distributed, and that the tickets are named and non-transferable.

Still, Mr Tagamolila intends to stay outside the stadium until the event ends. "Maybe we can hear some audio," he said.

About 280 priests and 50 bishops and cardinals will jointly officiate the mass.

In 1986, then-Pope John Paul II's papal mass lasted two hours, with 70,000 attendees braving a downpour at the old National Stadium.

Earlier on Thursday, Pope Francis attended a welcome ceremony at the Parliament House, met President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and delivered a state address at the National University of Singapore.

He also had a private meeting with Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday afternoon.

On Friday, he will visit residents at St Theresa's Home and attend an interreligious meeting with youths at Catholic Junior College to round off his trip.

Singapore is the last stop in Pope Francis' Asia-Pacific tour, which saw the pontiff travel to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste.